May 2014

Food is the universal connection to our health, our well-being and even our happiness.

Our chefs are ready to share their skills and knowledge with you – in state-of-the-art kitchens in the beautiful Paterson GlobalFoods Institute at Red River College. All of our workshops are hands-on, where you develop your skills under the direction of our experienced chefs.

Red River College provides many opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, expand their horizons, and learn to see life from a different prospective. The Diversity and Immigrant Student Support department is proud to have an award called Step Out of Your Box Diversity, and every year three students are recognized for stretching themselves, stepping out of their comfort zone, challenging themselves, making a difference in the community and in the life of someone else.

The benefits of stepping out of your box are numerous. Being willing to give up familiarity of the known and embrace the discomfort that comes from being outside your comfort zone is increasingly crucial to students’ success in work and life. Read More →

With exams currently taking place, and the rush to get summer jobs, this is often a busy and stressful time for Red River College Students. Rebels Athletics and Recreation Services has a great way to relieve stress, get fit for summer, and be at your best for exams and job interviews! RRC Athletics and Recreation Services offers Group Fitness Programs suited to all interests and fitness levels. Our highly trained and enthusiastic instructors will lead you through a fun and challenging workout suited to you. Use these classes to get a leg up on your personal fitness goals, with summer right around the corner, why not get active and have fun in the process. We offer a wide variety of classes that can help relieve stress, and improve your personal wellness.

During this final exam week, one of our BA peer tutors hit the gym with a partner to lift some weights. A couple of things caught my attention:

how inspiring it was to see a student’s goal was to help their peer reach their goal

how important it is take time away from our text books and study guides and online forums tojust move.

This isn’t a blog about how to take a much needed break from studying – though I absolutely promote a balanced lifestyle. Rather this is a blog about using another dimension of studying –synthesizing info.

Roline Nguyen & Charanjit Singh, ASC peer tutors

Put an airbrushed check-mark to the sentences which you could’ve authored:

An answer to a question I’ve been working with comes to me whilewalking on a trail.

Whilekicking a soccer ball with a friend, I set up 4 major points for a paper I’m writing.

As I jog, I recite answers to questions I anticipate will be on my final exam.

I find a creative way to work well with my peers on our project while meandering on my bike.

The Winnipeg Free Press hosts a column about “Our Winnipeg, my favourite place.” A recent publication featured the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s resident conductor, Julian Pellicano. Pellicano does much of his thinking on the paths of the Assiniboine Forest – modeling his work practice after legendary composers who finish a working session with a vigorous walk. After spending hours studying orchestral music, this Winnipegger eloquently describes why he does what he does, “I take a walk and let it all sink in; to see how much I remember of what I just worked on….part of my process takes place on the trails of Assiniboine Forest” Pellicano concludes his interview with the following invite: “if we happen to run into each other on the trails, don’t hesitate to ask what I’m working on.”

Going back to the “is this you checklist,” there is a growing body of evidence that suggest s we think and learn better when we walk, swim or do another form of exercise. When we exercise, we increase blood flow and blood pressure. Our brain is just one recipient of this increased blood flow and more blood = more energy and oxygen. Since cognitive processes such as problem-solving require maximum brain power, the healthier we make our brain, the better it’ll function! So, not only does our body perform better with increased movement, but our brain joins in on this performance-enhanced experience. How much activity should we do?

A Harvard study found that taking 2 ½ hoursa week (distributed in a way that suits you best). This translates to approximately 20 minutes/day. Going back to the gym, it seems like these BA students catapulted right from an involved Entrepreneurial project straight into the throws of finals. Yet, by taking the time to intentionally work on building muscle, they unintentionally were building one of their most important muscles.